Here for your pleasure and enlightenment, and because it’s a Bye Week and nothing’s going on, I wrote a piece about what happens in quarterback meetings, focusing on 49ers quarterback meetings. The article follows. SANTA CLARA — What happens in an NFL quarterback meeting? And specifically, what happens in a 49ers quarterback meeting? You’ve probably wondered about all that. A quarterback meeting is something you never can attend, a place…
Last week I ranked all 32 teams from best to worst. I ranked the 49ers fifth overall, but even that was too low. This week, I’m ranking only the top three teams because I say the Niners are the third best team in the NFL. ESPN says they’re the fourth best team, one spot behind the Ravens, but I say nuts to that. Why? Because the Niners have more talent…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s Monday press conference. Q: Did you and Shaun Hill brawl after the game? ALEX SMITH: We had a slightly less physical handshake, hugged after. Q: Did you see the incident between Harbaugh and Schwartz? ALEX SMITH: Yeah, I had no idea what happened at the time, no idea what was going on. Obviously, heard about it, saw the stuff after, late…
Here are my week 6 grades for the 5-1 49ers. Alex Smith: B+. He played an efficient first half and an awful second half, but he made the touchdown throw on the fourth and goal at the end of the game and that’s all that really matters. The fumble on the first offensive play was more Staley’s fault than Smith’s. In the second half, Smith constantly missed targets high, and…
Yesterday on the Murph and Mac show, NFL films analyst Greg Cosell broke down the Niners upcoming Sunday matchup with Lions. Here’s the transcript of what he said. Q: That 48-3 win was the Niners’ biggest win since 1987. What stood out to you? COSELL: Believe it or not, I was really impressed with their defense. Of course, I thought the Bucs came and played offense exactly the wrong way,…
SANTA CLARA — Here’s the transcript of Ndamukong Suh’s Thursday conference call with Bay Area reporters. What’s the atmosphere like in Detroit with you being 5-0? Solitude. We’re continuing to work for a good team we’re going to see. We enjoyed our Monday night win and a little on Tuesday. But we’re focused on San Francisco, knowing we have a tough road ahead of us. Is it tough to come…
In case you missed it, NFL Network’s Kurt Warner ranked Alex Smith as the fourth-best quarterback in the NFL behind Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, and Drew Brees, and one spot in front of Matthew Stafford. Matt Hasselbeck was in Warner’s top 5 last week, but according to Warner, Smith has surpassed him. Here’s what Warner said about Smith: “My big surprise: Alex Smith comes in at No. 4. A guy…
SANTA CLARA – Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s Wednesday press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Would you say that this is the most significant, or the greatest challenge, or the biggest game you’ve played since you were a 49er? “They all seem like – every week they get big. It’s the nature of the game. When we were playing the Eagles, that was the biggest test, and now this….
SANTA CLARA — Here’s what Frank Gore said at his locker today. Q: We saw so much variety from this offense yesterday. Is this your full capacity or is there more to come? GORE: We’ve still got room to grow. We’ve taken great steps, and as long as we continue to take small steps every Sunday and especially on the practice field we’ll be moving in the right direction. Q:…
Here are my week 5 grades for the 49ers. Quarterbacks: A. Here’s Alex Smith’s stat line: He completed 11 of 19 throws for 170 yards, 3 TDs and QB rating of 127.2. His first TD throw – the long one down the seam to Delanie Walker on the Niners first drive – was perfect. His screen pass to Joshua Morgan in the third quarter was perfect as well. He also…
SAN FRANCISCO — Here’s the transcript of Alex Smith’s postgame press conference, courtesy of the 49ers. Would you say this is the most complete team victory this season? “Probably this season. I think the best two halves of football we’ve put together for sure. I think the four games prior to this we’ve had good halves here, good halves there, and never really put a full game together. I think…
SANTA CLARA – Here is the transcript of Jim Harbaugh’s Friday Press Conference, courtesy of the 49ers. The first question doesn’t make sense unless you know that all the 49ers coaches wore their blue collar shirts to practice today, including Harbaugh. The players wore shorts ‘n shells and the coaches wore short-sleeve, blue collar button-up shirts with their first names embroidered onto little white patches, which were themselves embroidered above…
Here’s what NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell said about the 49ers this morning on the Murph and Mac Show. Q: Did you have any inkling that the 49ers could pull off that comeback? COSELL: The best way to answer that would be I was surprised Alex Smith started the second half. Q: I’d say the same thing, and that’s coming from a fan. COSELL: I’ve got to tell you, I…
SANTA CLARA — Alex Smith speaks at the podium in the media tent on Wednesdays. Here’s the transcript of what he said today. Q: Does Harbaugh give positive reinforcement or negative? ALEX SMITH: From Day 1, you’ve got to have thick skin in that (film) room. You can’t be sensitive. I think Coach Harbaugh and all the coaches try to call it how they see it, both ways. They’re trying…
It’s being widely reported the Niners have released quarterback Josh McCown. On the surface, this makes no sense. McCown is clearly a better quarterback right now that the other backup, rookie Colin Kaepernick. And McLeod Bethel-Thomson is a rookie too and he’s probably going to get cut today, just like McCown The Niners must want to sign a different veteran quarterback to be the backup, a better one than Josh…
SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith talked to reporters at his locker today. Here’s everything he said. The last question is a question I asked him after the other reporters left the area around his locker, and it was the first time I’ve asked Smith a question one-on-one. He was gracious and thorough and he even cracked a joke. Enjoy. Q: Do you plan to play on Thursday? ALEX SMITH: I’m…
SAN FRANCISCO – Alex Smith was the last player to speak at his locker this evening after the game. Here’s what he had to say. Q: Tough to get into a rhythm? ALEX SMITH: Yeah, I mean, the first couple series, you know, we got one first down, and then that’s about it. Yeah, we put ourselves in third downs and couldn’t convert. Q: Did you think the offensive line…
SANTA CLARA – Alex Smith was the last player to speak to reporters today in the locker room, but I’m giving you his transcript first. He answered a lot of questions about Braylon Edwards, and at the end he touched on Michael Crabtree. Enjoy. Q: Have you been doing extra work with guys like Braylon Edwards after practice because of the time crunch? ALEX SMITH: More so than in years…
Alex Smith spoke at the podium next to the 49ers locker room after the game Saturday night. Here’s the full transcript of that interview, courtesy of me. Q: What’s the difference between week 1 when you couldn’t move the ball and tonight when you were able to string together some first downs? ALEX SMITH: You know, obviously, just executing, I think. It seemed like last week we all kind of…
SANTA CLARA – Practice ended with Colin Kaepernick leading the first team offense against the first team defense in a 2-minute drill. Kaepernick was 4-6 on the drive, but Aldon Smith sacked him on the last play, and the offense put up zero points. Over the last 90 minutes of practice, Kaepernick took 22 reps with the first team while Alex Smith took 20. This was the first time in…
